Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

The Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a new form of the coronavirus family that
originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December and has spread throughout
the world. As of right now, the risk of exposure to this new strain of the coronavirus
is considered low in Kentucky. However, confirmed cases in the US are increasing.
We are monitoring the situation and will continue to update this page and take appropriate
measures to ensure the health and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff.
The following is a list of key resources to keep you informed about the Novel Coronavirus
2019 (COVID-19).

LATEST UPDATES

All MCTC Campuses will re-open to the public on Monday, June 1. Staff will be available
on campus in a limited capacity to serve students by appointment only.

To schedule an appointment and review the campus visit procedure click on the Visitors Page.

March 25, 2020 - 2:01 pm

Dear MCTC Students, Faculty, Staff and Community,

Good Wednesday! I trust that everyone is continuing to remain home and away from
crowded areas as much as possible. You may have seen Dr. Box’s email to all KCTCS
employees. As we monitor the ever-changing conditions around us, though, I wanted
to provide you an update on some information of which you should be aware and amplify
a few of his comments.

First, because of the shift from face to face to on-line classes that has taken place
for many students, MCTC has been very sensitive to ensuring computer access, when
possible. To that end, I have allowed the computer lab at the Maysville Campus to
remain open during the past two weeks. I felt that we have done a quality job of
maintaining social distancing, disinfecting computer stations as well as public areas,
such as restrooms and limiting access to the overall facility.

As president, I would never place anyone knowingly in a situation that I deemed unsafe. However,
across the Commonwealth, public and private educational colleges and universities
have, with a few exceptions, closed all campus access to face to face traffic. Dr.
Box had allowed some flexibility to our colleges. But, in conversations with my KCTCS
peers yesterday as well as heeding the advice of other important decision-makers,
it became clear to me that the risk for transmission of the COVID-19 virus, even with
the current safety measures in place, is no longer one which I am willing to accept
for students or employees.

And just today, Governor Beshear, in Executive Order 2020-257, ordered that only Life
Sustaining Businesses may continue to operate, and specifically enumerates those that
qualify. All others must close by Thursday, March 26 at 8:00 p.m. To that end, MCTC
will be closing all campuses, except to strictly authorized employees, beginning tomorrow
afternoon, March 26, at 3:00 p.m., and will not reopen until April 20 (or pending
state approval).

Students, if you are in need of wireless access, you may come to the MCTC parking
lots and work externally from vehicles, unless prohibited by future statute or executive
order. Despite this accommodation, I know that it will still not meet the needs of
every student and employee, for which I am sorry. At this time, though, public health
concerns supersede ancillary issues. Faculty and staff are committed to continuing
to work with all students to assist during this term and I encourage students (and
employees) to maintain open lines of communication, be it email or phone. So do not
give up, do not quit, and do not despair – we will make it through the term.

Along that same line, as it pertains to instruction for the remainder of the term,
KCTCS has made the decision that all colleges (including MCTC) will offer only online/remote
classroom instruction through the last day of instruction on May 2, with a regular
final exam week of May 4 – 10. Final exams as offered by faculty for classroom/remote
instruction (for classes with no labs) would be delivered online or remotely. Lab
and clinical instruction will be made available as Colleges can safely re-open. (No
one is yet sure when that time will be, though we will continue to communicate with
you in the meantime.) If lab/clinical works is not completed within the term, a non-credit
session for lab/clinical makeup will be provided following the term to meet student
learning/assessment and faculty needs. In other words, accommodations will be made
for those in allied health and career-technical programs.

KCTCS colleges (including MCTC) also agreed to a postponement of commencement exercises
(graduation ceremonies) system-wide. The hope is that this will allow Colleges potentially
host ceremonies in June/July, if circumstances permit. If in-person commencement
is not possible by late summer, we will consider additional options at that time. MCTC
is committed to conducting an in-person commencement(s) at some point in the future;
it simply will not be May 9, 11 or 12. More information will be made available as
we know it.

Employees, please review Dr. Box’s email to the entire internal community that was
forwarded today. It does provide additional information that is germane to you. When
the campuses are closed, that pertains to everyone except those authorized by my office
(which will only be for mail and critical operations).

Many of the steps being taken may seem a bit extreme to some, but again, if it saves
lives, I am in favor! No one wants to return to normal any more than I do. Until
then, we have to support each other (from a safe distance) and hold OURSELVES accountable
– for abiding by guidelines and orders from the state and federal government, for
staying engaged with coursework (students) and with college work (employees), and
for “redeeming” the time that you have at your disposal to spend with family at home.

We really are in this together. A little wiser, a few more gray hairs, but we will
come out on the other side. Best to all.

Dr. Stephen VacikPresident, MCTC

March 20, 2020 - 3:45 pm

After much deliberation, to further protect against the spread of COVID-19, MCTC has
decided that for the class week of Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27, the college
will operate utilizing only virtual services at the Licking Valley, Montgomery and
Rowan Campuses. This means that campus buildings including the bookstore, labs, and
testing centers will not be accessible to students or the public. Classes continue
via online format and instructional support services, as well as student services
and financial aid, are still accessible via phone or online. We feel this is the best
course of action to help keep everyone healthy and safe.

The Maysville Campus will remain open March 23 - 27 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., with
limited computer lab access and student services. Only current students may access
the facility and will enter at the Tech Building.

We encourage everyone to remain at home as much as possible and avoid unnecessary
contact with others beyond your immediate family. And employ social distancing (six
feet minimum) with others when outside the home. Be well! Continue to check the
MCTC website for further updates as they are made available.

Dr. Stephen VacikPresident, MCTC

03/18/2020 - 3:40 p.m.

Dear MCTC Students,Day Three of MCTC – Outbreak Prevention Protocols. On behalf of your faculty and
staff, I wanted to touch base with you briefly this afternoon. I recognize that many
of you were not taking or had not planned to take some or all of your courses on-line
this semester – for you, this was an unanticipated, and perhaps unwelcomed, shift. You
may also be pretty anxious about how this will impact your learning. I can certainly
understand. Please know that the measures undertaken by MCTC, KCTCS, and all of the
postsecondary institutions in Kentucky, established to protect students and employees,
as well as reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, were simply unavoidable. But
know that faculty and staff are continuing to provide tele-services (via phone, video
chat or computer) as we normally would on-campus services. This includes admissions,
financial aid, library resources, supplemental instruction, and more. We are also
looking at additional supports to increase tutoring options – more information to
come as it becomes available.

Until we return to normalcy, avoid unnecessarily leaving home. Do not travel outside
of your immediate community, unless absolutely necessary. Do what you must – grab
food/groceries/gas – but avoid places where people may congregate. (You can even
access the college wi-fi for personal devices from campus parking lots, if you don’t
want to get out of your car.) I realize that our nature as people is to be social,
but we need to do it remotely until this threat has subsided. Since you are home,
take an opportunity to really invest yourself in your coursework. Or set up an advising
appointment on-line with your advisor – register for the summer and fall terms now. (The
college will continue operations – this trying time won’t last forever.) On the personal
side, spend time with your family – start by helping your kids with all of those NTI
assignments. Read a book. Binge a television series. Avoid spending too much time
on social media, since mostly it is depressing. Follow local, state and federal requirements
and recommendations (consider recommendations to be requirements, in fact).

And stay positive, even when it seems gloomy. Charles Dickens penned the famous line,
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Life truly depends on perspective
and how we react. Happiness and sadness are emotions, impossible to control entirely;
but joy and despair are states of being, requiring action, and we can choose one or
the other. Choose joy. It will make this whole ordeal bearable. On behalf of MCTC,
I wish you the very best in the days ahead, as a student and fellow community member.

Dr. Stephen VacikPresident, MCTC

March 17, 2020 - 5:05 p.m.An update for MCTC students:

MCTC’s move to online learning to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
is underway.

By now, you should be receiving information from your instructors about how to proceed
with classes for the coming weeks. Faculty have been encouraged to be flexible and
as accommodating to students as possible during this time. Feel free to reach out
to them if you have questions or any issues.

You should know that most of the faculty and staff of the college will be tele-communing
to perform their jobs for the next few weeks. You may contact them via email or by
dialing their extension, but by-in-large they will not be available on campus.

CLASSES:

All online classes will continue as scheduled.

All face to face and hybrid classes will be moved online by Tuesday, March 17 (Check
your email and Blackboard for information about labs/clinicals). Your instructor will
be in communication with you about class details.

At this time, face to face and hybrid classes will resume in-person on Monday, March
30.

There are several resources available to you during this time of on-line instruction.

CURRENT STUDENT RESOURCES:

The Go KCTCS! Student Service Center You may contact the Go KCTCS! Student Service Center for 24/7 assistance with Admissions,
Billing, Blackboard, Financial Aid, Passwords, Records and Registration by calling
(855) GO-9MCTC (855-469-6282). This should be your primary channel for student services
and help for the current time.

Limited On-Campus Labs and Student Services All MCTC campuses will be open as of March 17, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However,
access is restricted to current students only. To accommodate students without home
internet access, a computer lab on each campus will be available.

Maysville Campus students should gain access to the computer lab and services by
entering through the Tech Building. Students from other campuses should use the main
entrance to enter the building.

Bookstore The bookstore will be open from 9 am – 3 pm on the Rowan and Maysville Campuses
Monday – Thursday and closed on Fridays for the next two weeks. Students can order
books online and have them shipped directly to their house at no charge. Financial
aid vouchers will be processed in the store and sent to the student’s home without
them having to come to campus.

Business Office Students needing to make tuition payments are encouraged to do so online through
their self-service account or they can call the Business Office on each campus and
make a credit card payment over the phone. Walk-in payments will also be received
at the front desk on each campus.

RESOURCES

State of Kentucky COVID-19 Website and Hotline

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has prepared resources on when to seek care, how to prevent becoming ill, who is
most at risk, and up-to-date status of the COVID-19 situation in the state. A hotline
for questions regarding the virus in the state is available at 800-722-5725.

Kentucky Department of Public Health

The Kentucky Department for Public Health continues to closely monitor the international situation concerning the 2019 novel
coronavirus (COVID-19). This respiratory disease was first detected in Wuhan City,
Hubei Province, China on December 31, 2019. Since that time, it has spread throughout
China and to many other countries. Public health officials in Kentucky are monitoring
individuals who meet certain exposure criteria to limit the introduction of COVID-19
in Kentucky. They are also are preparing for the possibility that the virus begins
to spread in the commonwealth.

Kentucky Health Departments

Colleges are encouraged to visit the websites of their local health departments and
coordinate with them for guidance related to cases in their area.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading public health agency for the United States and has all the current
information related to COVID-19. You will find facts about symptoms of the virus
and what to do if you become sick, tips on how to prevent the spread of the virus,
and answers to frequently asked questions.